SC Emergency Management website crashes after alert sent for coronavirus

COLUMBIA, SC (WBTW) – The South Carolina Emergency Management Division issued a wireless emergency alert for the coronavirus, causing so much traffic the website crashed.

The SCEMD website received 10 times more traffic than any other incident they’ve activated for, including hurricanes, the agency said. The alert directed people to the website scemd.org.

The emergency alert sent to phones was: “Public Safety Alert, NON-ESSENTIAL BUSINESS TO CLOSE. PLEASE STAY HOME. STOP THE SPREAD OF COVID19.” This caused 650 hits a second from unique users, the agency reported.

Just moments ago, we issued a wireless emergency alert for #COVID19. Our website subsequently received 650 hits a second from unique users. Ten times more traffic than any incident we’ve ever activated for, even hurricanes. https://t.co/J3bs5wRCmq will be back online shortly. pic.twitter.com/Ts7iXxq7Jy